U.S.-South Korea Drills End Early After North Korea Missile Barrage
2 days ago
The United States and South Korea have wrapped up their annual joint military exercises six days earlier than originally scheduled, following President Donald Trump’s order to substantially scale back the drills.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises had been scheduled to continue through Aug. 27. Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce U.S. participation, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and an effort to create an opening for renewed diplomacy with Pyongyang.
North Korea, however, says the reduction is not enough to bring it back to the negotiating table. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, said the move does not fundamentally change what Pyongyang considers a hostile U.S. policy.
The early conclusion comes one day after North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters. The launches followed Pyongyang’s rejection of Trump’s latest diplomatic overture.
Despite the latest tensions, Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim again, while North Korea has indicated the personal relationship between the two leaders remains positive even as major disagreements over nuclear weapons and sanctions persist.
The Ulchi Freedom Shield exercises had been scheduled to continue through Aug. 27. Trump ordered the Pentagon to reduce U.S. participation, citing his relationship with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un and an effort to create an opening for renewed diplomacy with Pyongyang.
North Korea, however, says the reduction is not enough to bring it back to the negotiating table. Kim Yo Jong, the influential sister of Kim Jong Un, said the move does not fundamentally change what Pyongyang considers a hostile U.S. policy.
The early conclusion comes one day after North Korea fired about 10 short-range ballistic missiles into its eastern waters. The launches followed Pyongyang’s rejection of Trump’s latest diplomatic overture.
Despite the latest tensions, Trump has expressed interest in meeting Kim again, while North Korea has indicated the personal relationship between the two leaders remains positive even as major disagreements over nuclear weapons and sanctions persist.
